Ore-separator.



PATENTE'D 00T. 1, 19o?.

J. A. HARALSON.

ORE SEPARATOR. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 19M.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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@mi h1 @osea PATENTED OCT.A 1, 1907-` Z SHEETS-BHW J. A. HARALSON.

ORE SEPARATOR..

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24r1907. l

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AIG/Zul ez. H11/falso 1 'rn sfrnfrrrs JOHN A. HARALSON, OF MEXICO,MEXICO.

ORE-SE PARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1, 1907.

Application flled January 24,1907. Serial No. 353.861.

To all whom L may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. I-IARALsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at the City of Mexico, Mexico, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Ore-Separators, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to apparatus for extracting metals from ore bythe process of leaching and precipitation, being especially adapted forthe collection of copper.

The invention admits `of copper being separated from ore containing acomparatively small percentage of the metal, on a paying basis andprevents waste since the solution is regenerated and used again and allfumes and gases utilized in an economical and advantageous way.

The invention consists of apparatus for mixing crushed ore with asolution of a nature to dissolve the metal therefrom to be collected, afilter for separating the metalliferous solution from the solid matter,such as sand, earth, mineral and the like, a retort for generatinghydrogen sulfid gas and burning materials, such as gypsum and charcoalfor making calcium suliid, a hydrogen sulfid gas generator utilizing thecarbon dioxid produced in the retort, a mixer for combining themetalliferous solution and hydrogen sulfid gas, and a separator in whichthe metal precipitates, there being as many mixers and separators as maybe found necessary, the solution from the last separator containing anexcess of metal so as not to affect the solution admitted into the oremixer in a cycle of operation.

In the drawings forming a part of the specifications: Figure l is adiagrammatical view of the several devices assembled for carrying outthe separation of the ore in a cycle of operation. Fig. 2 is a detailview of a rotary mixer. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a hydrogen suld gasgenerator. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a mixer and a separator in whichthe precipitation is effected.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The furnace l is preferably of the battery type and embodies a series ofretorts 2 in which the material is burned, or roasted, to form calciumsulfld, the carbon dioxid gas evolved being subsequently employed toform hydrogen sullid gas which combines with the metalliferous solutionto effect separation and precipitation of the metal therefrom,

A pipe 3 leads from each retort 2 and dips into water contained in abox, or receptacle 4, constituting in effect a header from which a pipe5 extends to convey the carbon dioxid gas to a gasometer 6 of anyvariety and in which the gas accumulates, or is stored. Gypsum andcharcoal mixed in the proportions of about two to one, are placed in theretorts and are converted into calcium sulfid which is subsequently usedin the generator for producing hydrogen suliid gas.

Any number of hydrogen sulfid gas generators may be provided, two beingshown, and each being a counterpart ofthe other. Each generator consistsof a tank 7 in which a quantity of water is placed. A hollow shaft 8extends into the tank and is provided at its lower end with adistributer 9 and a series of plates l0, the latter acting as agitatorsto keep the calcium sulfid suspended in the water, whereas thedistributor 9 causes the carbon dioxid gas entering through the shaft8`to pass upward through every part of the mixer. The hollow shafts 8are coupled to extensions 11 of a pipe l2 which leads from thegasometer, the coupling between the parts 8 and 1l being such as tomaintain atight joint, while at the same time admitting of the shaftshaving free rotation.

Any means may be employed for rotating the shafts 8 and, as shown, acounter-shaftl is adapted to be driven from a suitable source of powerand is connected by a bevel gearing 14 with cach shaft 8. A pipe l5 hasconnection with each generator 7 and conveys the hydrogen suld gastherefrom to one or more mixers to combine with the metalliferoussolution and effect separation of the lmetal therefrom.

An ore mixer 16 is adapted to receive the crushed ore and the liquidsolvent for the metal to be separated, and which solvent consists of aweak solution of sulfuric acid should the metal collected be copper.After the crushed 'ore and liquid solvent have been placed in the mixer16, they are thoroughly agitated in any well known manner as by rotatingthe agitator arranged therein. After the ore has been treated in themixer to effect dissolution of the metal, the mass is discharged fromthe mixer into a filter, or separator 17, which catches the soild matterand permits the metalliferous solution to filter therethrough and bepumped into a tank or receptacle. box, tank, or like receptacle having afalse bottom 19 which is perforated and covered with textile, such asgunny sacks, cotton, or the like'to catch sand, earthy matter and thecrushed ore and permit the solution to pass therethrough into the space20 formed between the bottom of the filter and the false bottom 19.

After separation of the metalliferous liquid from the solid matter hasbeen effected, the accumulation upon the false bottom 19 is removed,-preferably through a man-hole 21 in a side of the box, or receptacle 17.The metalliferous solution is forced into the tank 18 by means of a pump22, or other liquid elevating contrivance.

The metalliferous solution passes from the tank 18 through a pipe 23into a mixer 24, the same consisting of a pipe, or narrow receptacle, Asthe solution is The filter 17 consists of a supplied to the mixer 24, itcomes in contact with the hydrogen sulfid escaping from a branch ot'pipe l5 and the gas combined with the metal contained in the solutionforms a copper sultid which being heavier than the solution,precipitates. A separa-tor 26 receives the metalliferous solution fromthe mixer after the hydrogen sultid gas has been caused to commingletherewith, and the copper sultid precipitates and collects in the bottomof the separator and is removed therefrom from time to time.

A pipe 27 connects the mixer 24 with the separator 26. A pipe 2Sprojects vertically from the top ot the separator 26 and is connectedby'a lateral pipe 29 with a second mixer similar in construction andoperation to the mixer hereinbefore described. A screen, or filter 30,located at the lower end oi the pipe 2S catches the copper sulfid andprevents the same passing upward into the second mixer ot' the series.There may be as many mixers and separators as may be found necessary toeffect a thorough separation ot the metal to be collected, it beinghighly important that the solution passing from the last separator',contain a small percentage of copper or metal in solution so as not toaffect the initial mixing oi the ore and solvent solution in the mixer16. The copper sulfid removed from the separator 26 is roasted, orretorted, and the sulfurous fumes driven off are collected and combinedWith water to form sulfurous acid which is added to the solution used inthe ore mixer so as to maintain the proper strength thereof.

By having a series or battery of hydrogen sultid gas generators, one ormore may be thrown out oi action to admit of removal of the spentcalcium sulvlid therefrom and replenishing and recharging thereofwithout destroying the continuous operation oi the apparatus. Valves areprovided and arranged to admit of cutting ofi any one or more of thegenerators as may be required. While the solution may pass through theseries oi'v separators 26, nevertheless, the hydrogen sultid gas may beadmitted in regulated quantity to one or more oi the mixers 24, carebeing taken not to surcharge the metalliferous solution so that whenpassing from the last separator it will contain an excess ol such gas,which would detract from the solvent properties of the solution whenadded to the ore mixer'16. The solution passing oii from the lastseparator 26 is discharged into a tank 31 and is regenerated by additionthereto of sulfuric acid until the required strength is obtained. Thetank 3l is utilized for mixing the solution, and when prepared, saidsolution is conveyed to a reservoir tank 32 from which it is drawn intothe ore mixer 16.

The treating of the ore in the mixer i6 produces a. gas which must becarried ofi to relieve internal pressure, and for this purpose, one ormore vents 33 are provided. While the gas may be conveyed to a suitablepoint and discharged, however, it is preferred to utilize same and todischarge it into the gasometer.

It is to be understood that the mcnstruum employed in the mixer to`produce the metallilerous solution will depend upon the nature of theore and the metal to be separated therefrom. When the metal to becollect ed is copper, the menstruum will consist of a weak solution oisulfuric acid.

It the solution discharged trom the last separator contained i'reehydrogen suliid gas, the. latter would combine with a portion of themetal dissolved from the ore in the ore mixer and precipitate the sameas a metal sullid which would be lost; hence the importance ofregulating the separation so that the sullid discharged trom the lastseparator shall contain a slight, percent,- age ot metals.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Apparatus for precipitating lnetals from solutions. the samecomprising.,`- a retort for generating ens, a gasonteter for storing thegas as produced, a generator containing water and the materialpreviously retorted. means t'or supplying gas from the retort to thegenerator and agitating the solution therein, a mixer, means forsupplyingr metalliterous solution and the gas from the generator to themixer in regulable quantity, and a separator receiving.,r themetalliferous solution impregnated with the gas from the mixer to effectseparation ot the metal by precipitation.

2. ln apparatus t'or precipitating metals trom solutions, thecombination of a series of separators, a corresponding series of mixers,the separators discharging into the mix ers and the latter in turndischarging into the successive separators, a main pipe t'or supplyinggas toy each o1' the mixers, branch pipes leading from the umili pipe toeach ot' the mixers, valves for regulatingr the supply of was to themixers and admitting of one being cut ott' from a supply of gas, andmeans for supplying,`- a metallilerous solution to the tirst mixer.

3. In apparatus for l'necipitating metals from solutions. thecombination of a mixer. a separater in communication with the mixer` :ipipe risin,"lfrom the separator. a lilter at the lower end of said pipe,a second mixer in communication with the pipe of the tirst separator, asecond sopa rater in communication with the second mixer, means i'orsupplying a metallit'erous solution to the tirst mixer and a pipe forsupplying gas to each of the mixers to eieetv chemical combination o1'the gas with the metal held in solution.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

.TOIIN A. IIARALSON. ln. s.]

Witnesses V. B. lIILLxAnn, lI. S. HILL.

